Choice Of Lover Costs Mr. Allen Many Admirers

August 24, 1992|The Morning Call

Woody Allen is in the middle of events as strange as any portrayed in his movies. But nobody is laughing. The Mr. Allen facing New York reporters is essentially the same inelegant man he has portrayed many times, but as the details of his affair with young Soon-Yi Farrow Previn come out, there is none of the understanding sympathy that the closing scenes of his films usually evoked.

In many screen stories, Mr. Allen's character did shameful things to women. There was infidelity and he used them. However, even at his worst, the record must show he treated women's concerns with more understanding than most male directors. His version of the female point of view always was understanding and supportive, and the raising of his consciousness concerning feminism was ahead of his time. Taken together, it made Woody Allen an intelligent and admired figure at a time when there was a struggle by both sexes to understand the modern roles of men and women.

But, in those stories the man's weaknesses and errors were his comeuppance. That left audiences with the message that those who treat others badly, especially men who treat women badly, must pay.

Back in real life, nobody yet knows exactly what the relationship with Miss Previn will cost Mr. Allen. Obviously, the pain of seeing his family divided is genuine. If anything comes of the accusations that he abused another child, he will suffer for that, too.

A certainty is that his choice of a relationship that makes most people uncomfortable will cost him esteem among a generation that idolized his wit and intelligence. Settling in to watch a Woody Allen movie will never be the same.